Posted on Internet, December 7, 2007 by cat caretaker at Rancho Los Amigos Campus in Downey, CA
URGENT! URGENT!
A situation has developed on the campus of Rancho Los Amigos in Downey. The Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, Department of Capital Projects and Debt Management, ordered December 3, the trapping and mass euthanasia of over 100 cats which have called the campus home for over 10 years. The mass extermination is to begin in two weeks, just days before the Christmas holiday.
The cat populations on the Rancho campus is comprised mainly of feral cats which have been born due to people's lack of spay/neutering their own pets. A smaller proportion are household cats, which have been dumped by non-caring owners who no longer want to care for their pets, or pets that have been abandoned by owners moving from nearby housing tracts. These cats live in well managed colonies throughout the large campus, but mainly in the old, abandoned buildings of the campus south of Imperial Highway in what was at one time a nationally recognized center for rehabilitation of war veterans. The cats are well fed, vaccinated, microchipped, and receive veterinary care when needed.
Hundreds of cats lived on the grounds in years past, but with a concerted trap/spay/neuter/return (TNR) program in place by Fail-Safe 4 Felines, Inc., nearly 100% of the cats living there have now been rendered infertile and incapable of reproducing. The population of cats on the campus is now less than half it was just five years ago. Without the TNR program, the numbers of cats on the campus would be staggering to say the least. But through natural attrition and the TNR program, the colony will continue to significantly reduce over time. It is proven that trapping and euthanization have done nothing but burn a hole in tax payers’ pockets and KILL innocent pets. TNR has proven itself to work and be effective and this colony deserves to be left intact and protected.
The mass extermination was ordered because of a complaint received by the Chief Executive Office regarding fleas in a nearby building. Many other wild animals also call the campus home, including opossums, skunks, and raccoons. There is no known rat problem in this section of the campus.
Please make a difference by voicing your protest to Los Angeles Board Supervisor Don Knabe 4th District; 822 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration; 500 West Temple St; .Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213 974-4444 Fax: 213 626-6941 E-mail: www.knabe.com
Local Field office in Downey Phone: 562 803-7087
Fail-Safe 4 Felines, Inc. may be contacted at havecatswilltrap@yahoo.com
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Below are our remarks to Mr. Knabe in regards to this matter. We will keep you informed of anything new in regards to this matter. Please check our website or contact us if you have any further questions.
Los Angeles Board Supervisor-Don Knabe 4th District
822 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Fax #213-626-6941
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:58:17 EST
Subject: Re: FW: Feral Cats at Rancho
Good Morning Mr. Knabe:
I thank-you for your reply regarding the pet population at Rancho in Downey, however, it seems that you have not been given all the facts, so please allow me to give you a more in depth synopsis of what has been transpiring in the Rancho area since I have been involved.
First, let me introduce myself. I am Sheranne Jaeger, Founder/Director of Fail-Safe 4 Felines, Inc. We are a TNR (trap, neuter and return) Organization and have worked very diligently over the past eight years to control the feral feline population in Downey, Ca. We spay/neuter, provide appropriate shots including rabies, de-worm, de-flea, microchip and provide any additional medical treatment deemed necessary to the cats and release them back to where they are being cared for. We have worked with many residents, business owners and SEAACA shelter and have provided on going education to the residents here in an effort to reduce the procreation of these pets and to significantly reduce the euthanasia stats associated with this problem.
We became involved with the Rancho pets a little over three years ago when several of the feeders/caretakers came to us and asked for our help to control the population. We were certainly happy to assist. Since then we have altered over 90% of the population and will have complete control by spring.
Approximately two years ago, the Crime Lab contacted the caretakers and indicated they wanted the cats that roamed in and about their Lab and parking lot to be moved as they were having a flea problem. We met and stated we would move the cats across the street by moving their feeding stations. That took place and the Crime Lab stated they were grateful and were pleased with the movement that had taken place.
Since that time, the caretakers frequently asked if all was okay and the Crime Lab stated it was fine. Since then and of recent, there has been another flare up from the Crime Lab regarding the cats moving about their parking lot, specifically with two people. We are talking possibly 8-10 cats that are in their area, the rest are much further south of both the Lab and Child Care Center and do not go north.
Capt. Aaron Reyes of SEAACA was kind enough several months ago, to host a meeting with Fail-Safe, the caretakers and several County facility representatives in an effort for us all to collect and work on a solution that would resolve the Crime Lab problem and still maintain the home from where these pets were born. NOTE: At no time up to this, has there been any talk regarding the Child Center. This was all about two people in the Crime Lab who very apparently don’t like cats and just don't want to see them. May I note, 8 - 10 cats roaming in a parking lot are not going to cause a flea infestation in a building, especially one that has only tile flooring. Fleas don't live on tile floors.
Since then we have been attempting several alternatives in an effort to appease the Crime Lab and resolve the problem of the fleas. We have been in constant communication with Mr. Jan Takata and his executive secretary, Hannah, since the meeting with SEAACA in an effort to resolve the Crime Lab's issues and still continue to care for this pet population. We have been moving the cats more south. There hasn't been feeding stations at the Lab in two years and subsequent to that, the caretakers have slowly moved the feeding stations down and around the buildings south of the Lab. We have also introduced Capstan to the cats, which kill all fleas on the cats within 12 hours. This apparently did not satisfy the Lab or Mr. Takata. They wanted faster results. The migration of these pets must happen at a pace in which we will achieve positive results.
It has only been in the last 2-3 months that there is now an issue with the Child Care Center. The apparent issue there is that the cats are defecating in the sand box. We have offered to buy tarps so they can tarp the sand box at night and the Child Care Center doesn't want to do so. In our last meeting with Mr. Takata and Hannah we suggested walking around the Center in an effort to locate the areas in which the cats may be finding entrance and close off those smaller areas. This approach would be not only be most cost efficient but would resolve the cat issue of them going in the sand box, assuming that that is really the issue and not just someone wanting the cats to be gone period.
In addition, there is a large flea spraying program in effect currently which really isn't necessary and is highly expensive. Fleas are dormant right now. The time to spray, should it be necessary, would be in the spring when flea conditions are optimal.
In addition, Mr. Takata has given us a destination spot where he would like to see all the cats. Unfortunately, it is an empty field with no where for the cats to find shelter from people or weather. I sent an email several weeks ago to Mr. Takata’s office stating we were ready to begin a stronger migration to their destination spot and was inquiring as to what provisions were being made to provide this shelter and I received no response.
At no time has the CEO's office moved the cats away from the Child Care Center, this has been done by the caretakers at Rancho. At not time has the CEO's office spent any time or money sterilizing any cats at this location. The TNR that has taken place has been 100 % at the time and expense of Fail-Safe 4 Felines, Inc. and the caretakers. It is being said the population has increased. There has not been an increase in cats at Rancho. Quite the contrary! We have taken out tame cats that have been dropped, spayed/neutered them and adopted them out. We have taken out litters of kittens, raised them, attended to their needs, spayed/neutered them and adopted them out. There have been some that have died for various reasons. All of this has been at the expense of Fail-Safe 4 Felines, not the City, not the County. Mr. Takata’s office also stated they are getting reports of rodents which are next to impossible. Cats are well fed and cared for at Rancho, however, their natural instinct is to hunt and rodents are their natural prey.
Last communication with Mr. Takata, which was at his office this past week, is that we have a very short period of time to move these cats completely out of Rancho. Next step is to apply cat repellent and then he informed us they will just come in, begin trapping and killing all the cats. He informed us we have very limited time.
Mr. Knabe, there has been an immeasurable amount of time invested by Fail-Safe and the caretakers in controlling and caring for these pets, that at no fault of their own are sentenced to live in the weather, under buildings and at risk for any foul play. It is unjust for these cats to be euthanized for a problem that is very easily remedied if all would work together. We are just as concerned about the Crime Lab and the Child Care Center and are working with the County and Crime Lab to do as much as we can as fast as we can, however we are not getting any help in return, only threats of euthanasia. May I also remind that we have been working this situation for the cats and the City to create a healthy balance for people and pets. We didn't create this situation, we are there “to work the solution.”
Again, if the real issue here is that the cats are defecating in the sand box at the Child Care Center, then that is a very solvable problem and much more cost effective than any other means and can be remedied quickly by fixing where the cats are entering the Center.
Mr. Takata's office suggested that we make this more public and ask for any and all to help place these pets in other locations. I informed them as to the various negative reasons as to why such an action would not be the right choice, including that once this population is gone, it leaves room for another population to begin, and it will, however, the next won't be controlled and cared for and their problem will be 10 fold and not to mention the animal activates and media attention that this would generate.
Frankly, Mr. Knabe, as you are aware, the process of euthanasia as the answer to pet overpopulation isn't working and hasn't ever worked except to kill innocent animals. From my standpoint, in providing this community TNR service and controlling pet overpopulation, I more expect help from my City, County and Council people rather than resistance.
Respectfully,
Sheranne C. Jaeger
Founder/Director
Fail-Safe 4 Felines, Inc.
SCJ:ms
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Mid December 2007 Caretakers claimed some cats seemed to be missing from the Crime Lab area.
December 17 & 19, 2007 Impound Dates of two cats taken to SEAACA from 7700 block of Golondrinas, Downey, CA
December 25, 2007 Traps found by our volunteers at the Crime Lab (see photo page)
December 26, 2007 We discovered the above two cats registered to Fail Safe at SEAACA and we took them out of there.
January 1, 2008 (Our second letter to Mr. Knabe)
Los Angeles Board Supervisor-Don Knabe 4th District
822 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple St.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90012
Fax 213-626-6941
Good Morning Mr. Knabe:
I hope your Christmas season was a pleasant one and do wish you a wonderful New Year. Since my last communication of December 11, 2007, several things have occurred at Rancho Los Amigos. The feeders there have continued to move the pet population further away from the Child Care Center and have made good progress. They have also been successful at placing three of the few cats that have had a propensity to return to that area, in spite of moving their food as it is the home of their birth. The cats that have been placed are now safe and doing well. Their future is secure. Unfortunately, that is not the case with three other cats from the Crime Lab area.
Through the Christmas season, the Crime Lab took it upon themselves and decided to attain two cat traps (which we have pictures of the cages in their enclosed yard) and trapped at least two cats. How do I know? The impound address from SEAACA was that of the Crime Lab.
Sir, each feeder is very much aware of the cats in their station and knows when a new cat arrives and when others go missing. There had been three cats missing, one of which is a friendly. I suggested they go to the shelters to assure they had not been trapped but in fact, had been. We were fortunate enough to retrieve 2 of the 3 from SEAACA before they were killed, but only after they had spent many days there and acquired an advanced upper respiratory infection which is common when animals are placed in a shelter for a length of time. I suppose you could say we are lucky that we found them before they were killed, however this situation should not have occurred. The two cats that we retrieved are now at the vets and receiving the appropriate care at great expense to us. The third cat, which is the friendly one, is still missing. I can only assume that the Crime Lab is involved with this one’s disappearance also as they all went missing at the same time.
I find this behavior to be nothing less than cruel. The very few cats that may come and go on the Crime Lab grounds are not creating a problem for these people especially at this time of year. This is a vicious act of one or two very inhuman people that have distaste for cats and have made it their passion to create an enormous amount of trouble and problems, not to mention the costs they have caused due to their hatred. Costs that have been absorbed by Fail-Safe 4 Felines and by the County in the attempt to appease two very hateful, uncaring people. I could understand more should the Lab be inundated with cats but this is not the case.
Mr. Knabe, I have not heard from you since my communication on December 11, 2007 and I am sure it is due to it being the Christmas Season. I do hope and ask that you give both my communications serious thought and time. I realize you are a very busy person but this situation is in need of your attention.
We, at Fail-Safe 4 Felines, Inc., the feeders, other caring people and organizations are very concerned for the safety and welfare of these animals and will not permit another trapping to go unanswered. We ask for your support and assistance.
Respectfully,
Sheranne C. Jaeger
Director/Founder
Fail-Safe 4 Felines, Inc.
SCJ:ms
Email: Gains4u@aol.com
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Updates
January 8, 2007 Boarding up of abandon buildings at Rancho (see photo page)
January 10, 2007 Dead cat found by boarded up building (see photo page)
January 15, 2008 Follow up notice on cats at Rancho Los Amigos
Since our communication to Mr. Knabe’s office on January 1, 2008, someone from Los Angeles County instructed a company to go in and board off all the buildings at Rancho, which they did. The feeders over at Rancho went to feed only to find the buildings in which the cats inhabit boarded up and most of the cats looking out from the grated areas, not knowing how to escape.
Several communications with Mr. Knabe’s office resulted in us being told that there was one exit in each building. These buildings are extremely large and the cats had no way of knowing where their one and only exit was. They were sitting at there usual feeding areas looking out, not knowing how to get food water or how to exit these very large buildings.
Only after speaking with Mr. Knabe’s office again and stating that one exit in these very large buildings was not humane and these animals did not know how to get out and also asking for local enforcement assistance along with stating we would be forced to take this to a higher plateau if these pets were not released from underneath the buildings did “SOME” of the boarded areas come down. Unfortunately, one of the cats that did not get trapped underneath a building was at a loss as to where to go. His area to hide had been blocked off and he was hit and killed by a car in the alley way right by his boarded off escape.
Being a TNR (trap, neuter, return) organization for the last eight years at no expense to the community or county, we would more expect assistance rather than opposition to the only proven working logical way to control pet overpopulation. The county has requested another meeting to discuss the Rancho situation and at this point, given the already negative interactions, we don’t feel the cats at Rancho will come out on the winning end. Any support we can get to help and relocate these pets into a safe environment would be greatly appreciated. All these pets have been spayed/neutered, de-wormed, given shots (4-1 and rabies), been given advantage for fleas and also have been given any additional medical treatment needed. These cats are very healthy, well cared for pets and just need a loving environment to live out their life. Please contact us if you can help.
Thank You, Sheranne Jaeger
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